Zoom lens T3i

what is the best zoom lens for T3i that doesnt cost  a fortune

You might want to head over to the-digital-picture.com and read some of the reviews.  Also keep in mind that if you want to test a lens, you can always rent the lenses you are considering before deciding which one to purchase.
All lenses have trade-offs -- which is why the camera allows you to swap lenses (you can swap to the lens which is best for your needs.)
"Zoom" simply means you can change the focal length within a range.  
There are "wide angle zooms" (like the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5) which has a range from wide to very wide.
There are standard zooms (like the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 which likely came with your camera if you bought the camera as a body + lens kit) which provides a little room in the wide angle plus a bit of telephoto focal length.
And then there are the telephoto-zooms (which go from moderately enlarged telephoto image to a more strongly enlarged telephoto image.)
I'm going to assume you probably want a "telephoto zoom".
A very common companion zoom lens in the consumer price range (priced to not break the bank) is the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS.  I owned this lens and actually gave my copy away to a nephew -- I was never nuts about it.  Mostly I found the contrast disappointing and the "sharpness" (detail resolving) was a bit soft & mushy.  But some people really like the lens.
The EF 75-300mm (and there are a few) does not have an impressive reputation.. it's perhaps the least favorite lens in the lineup.  The EF-S 55-250mm is a little better.
The EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM has a fairly good reputation... it's a mid-range lens which means it's more expensive than the entry-level zooms.   
That EF-S 55-250 has been updated to an "STM" version.  STM is Canon's new "STepper Motor" technology.  You can think of it as a "focus by wire" lens in that there is actually no mechanical linkage between the focus ring and the movement of the focusing elements inside the lens.  Turning the focus ring simply sends input to the computer electronics -- and the electronics interpret and focus the lens.  
But the lens has a few very positive things going for it:
The "MTF" scores for the lens are extremely good -- meaning that the contrast and resolution (accutance) of the lens seems to be greatly improved over it's predecessor.   
The STM lenses are EXTREMELY quiet -- so quiet that it's hard to tell that the focus motor is even working.  It was deliberately designed so that when shooting video, the internal mic on the camera would not be able to pick up the audio noise of the lens focus motor (on some lenses it can barely pick up the sound, but it is extremely quiet).  
Lastly, the STM motors are not quite as fast at focusing as the USM motors, but they are much faster than the basic motors.  So the STM version of the 55-250 will be a faster/snappier focusing lens than the non-STM version (which is a big plus if you are shooting action photography with rapidly changing focus distances.)
The list price on the STM version of the lens is only about $50 more than the non-STM version (about $299 vs $349 -- that's Canon list price... you may find retail stores selling it for slightly less.)
You can read a review of that lens here: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-55-250mm-f-4-5.6-IS-STM-Lens.aspx
I skipped comments on any of the "L" series lenses because they tend to be the most expensive lenses in the lineup (but offer the highest quality features -- not just in optics, but other features of the lens as well.)
I would probably take a very serious look at (in order of preference - best being first):
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM (on the spendier side so that may be out of your range)
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-4.5 IS STM (note the emphasis on "STM" and not the non-STM version)
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II (not as good as the STM version but it will shave a few dollars off the price tag.)
EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM (in last place -- a mediocre quality lens, but it is the least expensive of all.)
Tim Campbell
5D II, 5D III, 60Da

Similar Messages

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    I have a T3i with 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses.  Switching lenses while sightseeing is a nuisance.  The shorter one is needed for close photos of museums, galleries, close up sites, ourselves and our friends, etc.  Longer lenses are useful for many outdoor city and rural/mountain shots.  Is there a reasonably priced combination zoom lens I should be considering?  Is there somewhere I can sell my current lenses.  My T3i and lenses are less than a year old.  Thanks.
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    Most photographers say to buy the best "glass" (lens) you can afford because they will last a lifetime. Good lenses are not cheap, so my advise would be to keep what you have right now, and learn all you can about them and the aspects of taking photos. While you are learning you can investigate the different lenses, determine what type of photography you are really wanting to take, and so have a better idea of what you NEED in a lens. Hope thgis helped a little.

  • Will my 70-300 Canon Zoom lens + a 2x multiplier function on a new EOS T3i

    Will  my 70-300 Canon Zoom lens + a Canon 2x multiplier function on a new EOS T3i?

    Basically.... no.
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    And, frankly, I wouldn't expect much in terms of image quality. A strong (2X) teleconverter on a zoom lens is often not a great combo.
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    Alan Myers
    San Jose, Calif., USA
    "Walk softly and carry a big lens."
    GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
    FLICKR & PRINTROOM 

  • Canon EOS rebel T3i. Zoom lens

    My partner has a new camera. She Is a beginner she wants. Zoom lens. What do you. Suggest.?

    Canon makes quite a range of zooms.
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    But there are some uses for which these general-purpose zooms are not ideal and I'd like to make sure that's not what she needs.
    While most people tend to use zoom lenses outdoors...  will this lens be used for either (a) indoor sports games (e.g. basketball) or (b) outdoor games played at night under lights?
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    A general purpose zoom will have a variable focal ratio ranging from f/4 to f/5.6 (when zoomed all the way in, it's almost always f/5.6).  A high-end zoom will be able to provide a constant focal ratio of f/2.8 -- that literally collects FOUR times more light when an f/5.6 lens... so if a consumer grade zoom is trying to shoot... say an indoor basketball game and struggling with the light to use any shutter speed faster than 1/250th sec (not fast enough to freeze action)... the f/2.8 zoom in that same lighting would let you take that shot at 1/1000th sec (easily fast enough to freeze action).  
    With this in mind, I'll toss out a few options:
    1)  Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM and note that I bolded the letters "STM".  The STM lens is a redesign and refinement of Canon's previous EF-S 55-250mm lens which did not have the STM stepper-motor technology.  The stepper-motors are virtually silent, but they are much faster than the regular focusing motors.  Also, the optics of the lens have been refined and the STM version of the lens scores noticeably better for contrast and resolution (ability to resolve fine amounts of detail).  This lens lists for about $350.  It's a great general-purpose zoom.  It would do fine with outdoor daytime shooting. 
    2)  Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM and note that I bolded the number "70".  Canon makes a 75-300mm zoom.  That lens receives perhaps the most mediocre reviews of any lens Canon makes and is probably the least recommended lens in the lineup.  The 70-300mm, on the other hand, is a MUCH better lens both optically and performance-wise.
    3)  Canon makes several different white "L" series lenses with the 70-200mm zoom range.  The lens cames in either f/2.8 focal ratio versions (much more expensive) or in the f/4 version (less expensive) and there are versions with IS (image stabilization) and without.  The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II is the best of the lot by far... but also costs over $2k.  Going to the f/4 version (only collects half as much light as an f/2.8 lens, but twice as much as an f/5.6 lens -- so you're in the middle) drops the price, and getting the version that does not have image stabilization drops the price even more.  Also, f/2.8 lenses are heavy -- so you reduce weight with an f/4 lens.   The EF 70-200mm f/4L USM (note there's no "IS" on this version) lists for about $700.
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    There is an EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lens (not that it's "75-300" and not "70-300") which does not get very flattering reviews but is only $200.  
    If you win the lottery, you want the EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM Extender 1.4x... at only $11,799!  If you do win the lottery, buy 2 and send one to me!  ;-)
    Tim Campbell
    5D II, 5D III, 60Da

  • Action zoom lens

    I have a Rebel T3i and I go to a lot of sports games, so I need some suggestions for action/zoom lens. I'm obviously not a professional photographer haha (: so I have to scratch off those large telefoto lens that the professional photographers use at games.

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    I have a Canon EOS Rebel T3i and need an adapter to use with a Promaster Spectrum7 Zoom Lens.

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  • I am looking to purchase a changeable (not fixed) video zoom lens to attach to my iphone 5. Any recommendations?

    I cannot seem to fins a third-party video zoom lens for my iphone 5 that is not a fixed magnification. Every one I've found were fixed and not changeable. I want to shoot videos with my phone while zooming in and out. Can anyone recommend a website that has this attachment? Thank you

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  • Which digital camera will accept a FD 35-70mm and a 80-200mm auto zoom lens?

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  • Are the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS EF Telephoto Zoom Lens USM

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  • Canon EF 70-210mm F/4.0 Macro Zoom Lens

    Can a Canon EF 70-210mm F/4.0 Macro Zoom Lens previously used on a Canon EOS 630 be used on modern DSLR like the Canon 6D?
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    georgey, the key here is "EF". If the lens in question is labeled EF, it will bolt up. But the real question, like the observation above, is it a good idea?   
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    EOS 1Ds Mk III, EOS 1D Mk IV EF 50mm f1.2 L, EF 24-70mm f2.8 L,
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  • Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR

    Want to know if the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras will fit and work with the EOS Rebel XTi camera.

    Absolutely. Just remember to learn how to hold all the extra weight steady when using it. Mine sees a lot of use, but it took a while to adjust to it's weight. .
    "A skill is developed through constant practice with a passion to improve, not bought."

  • Zoom Lens for Pano PV-GS180

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    Keep in mind that a telephoto converter will not zoom. It merely multiplies the camera's own zoom power. Also note that some cameras may not focus well with a converter in front of the lens.
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  • Zoom lens compatibilty

    I have an  EOS REBEL G and want to know if a vivitar 75-205 macro zoom lens  No. 22005946 will work on it.
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    If you are looking at a manual focus Vivitar 75-205mm f3.8-f4.8 zoom lens... That was made for the old Canon FD lens mount  used on FTb, AE-1, A-1, F-1, etc. cameras.... The #22xxxxxxx serial number you mention strongly suggests this is an FD lens, manufactured by Kiron for Vivitar. If that's the case, it's probably a very nice lens, but...
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    Alan Myers
    San Jose, Calif., USA
    "Walk softly and carry a big lens."
    GEAR: 5DII, 7D(x2), 50D(x3), some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
    FLICKR & PRINTROOM 

  • Panasonic HFS014042 14-42mm Zoom lens for Panasonic GH4 and greenscreening in After EEfects

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